“In much of the world, May 1 — International Workers’ Day — is recognized as a public holiday — won through generations of struggle and marked by marches, strikes, and mass demonstrations. The holiday traces back to 1886, when hundreds of thousands of workers across the United States launched a coordinated movement to reduce working hours from grueling 10–16 hour days to an eight-hour workday. On May 1, workers walked off the job in cities across the country, making one of the largest strikes in U.S. history.” –Zinn Education Project, Teaching the Truth About May Day: Reclaiming Labor’s Global Holiday
Even though in the US the Labor Day holiday is officially in September, May 1 is recognized internationally in commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago, which led to the arrest, trial without evidence, and execution of several leaders. Around the world, people are gathering on May Day at marches, going on strike, and participating in mass demonstrations in a show of solidarity for workers everywhere and as a call for justice and dignity for everyone.
In the US, people are joining calls for an economic boycott and a general strike and will demonstrate in public actions to demand political change that will provide better work and living conditions for everyday and working people. Alongside those May Day actions, PHM-USA is bringing together people who are working to make change in their communities. They’ll share insights, strategies, and lessons learned from their efforts to make meaningful change.
Thanks to our speakers and everyone who joined throughout the day!
If you missed a session or weren’t able to make it, you can access recordings of each talk below.
9:30am
Leigh Haynes, Jennifer Ware, Resa Caivano
Recording not available
Leigh, Jenn, and Resa organized this all day event! They’ll share a little bit about themselves, their work, and why bringing people together is important to them.
10:00am
Kelley Mendez, PsyD, Dallas, TX
Dr. Mendez will provide information about the mental health aspects of organizing & activism. She’ll also give advice on how we can take care of ourselves and each other!
10:30am
People’s Health Movement-NYC
Recording not available
Organizers from Doctor’s Council SEIU will share their recent efforts and experience organizing health care workers in NYC.
11:30am
Martha Livingston, Professor, SUNY Old Westbury, Long Island, New York
Dr. Livingston, a long-time leader in Physicians for a National Health Program-NY Metro, will speak about the fight for a national health insurance program in the United States and why it’s important for working people.
12:00pm
Alejandro Villalpando & Susie Parras, South Central Community Alternatives To/Community Action Team 911 and Heal Together’s Anti-Carceral Care Collective, Los California, CA
Alex and Susie will provide reflections on organzing a community garden and how neighbors can support each other through grief brought on by personal tragedy, systemic injustice, and structural violence.
12:30pm
Leigh Haynes, PHM-USA, Brussels, Belgium…via Jasper, TX
Recording not available
How does someone even start creating connections that can grow into change-making community power? This workshop will provide tools and things to think about if you want to take that first step.
1:00pm
Pilár Galvez, Community Action Agency of Somerville, Somerville (CAAS), MA
Pilar will speak about CAAS’s tenant organizing support, including tenant rights, the impact on physical and mental health of tenants, and how CAAS’s work supports the well-being of tenants and the community.
1:30pm
Sam Geheren, Somerville, MA
Sam successfully organized a tenant’s union! They will share their experience of organizing with their neighbors to demand better conditions and to challenge exorbitant rent increases.
2:00pm
Samantha Trueblood, Columbus, OH
2:30pm
Fernando Chirino, PhD, Oregon
Grounding us in history, Dr. Chirino will discuss general strikes in the US and internationally and why it is the strongest nonviolent tool of the working class.
3:00pm
Renee Johnston, New Jersey
Renee is Vice President of the Green Party of NJ, part of the Global Pan-African Movement, North America and a member of Black Alliance for Peace. She’ll talk about why it’s important to organize and how to create opportunities to bring people together.
3:30pm
Priscilla P., Montclair Area Solidarity Network MASN), New Jersey
Priscilla from Montclair Area Solidarity Network will share how their mutual aid work began, what it takes to build a solidarity network, and how to maintain it.
4:00pm
Jenn Ware, PHM-USA, Philadelphia, PA
Jenn invited a co-worker over for a glass of wine to talk about problems at work, and the conversation grew into a whole change effort! She’ll share how she learned to sustain momentum and keep people engaged as more and more folks showed up.
4:30pm
Jessica Rath, Los Angeles, CA
Jessica organized with fellow adjunct professors to demand better treatment from their university. Jessica will share lessons learned through organizing educators, how your role can change as an organizer, and when to step up or step back.
5:00pm
Leigh Haynes, Jennifer Ware, Resa Caivano
Recording not available
Participants are invited to share reflections; Leigh, Jenn, and Resa will take some time to sum up the day (if that’s possible) and express gratitude to everyone who came out.